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Latin Translation – Choosing the meaning of AUG
Recently I noticed that many Roman inscriptions, many words can be abbreviated, meaning that in reality, the exact meaning is always going to be, to some extent, and unconfirmable intellectually informed guess
For example, the term AUG could mean either Augustus, or Augusta. Given that we have inscriptions that give the Goddess Brigantia an appellation of Augusta, how do translators choose between those two options?
Translating AUG
The translation of “AUG” as “Augustus” or “Augusta” in Roman inscriptions depends on context—specifically, the gender of the subject (whether it’s male or female) and the nature of the dedication or votive offering. While both Augustus (the title of the Roman emperor) and Augusta (the female counterpart, often used for the emperor’s wife or the deification of important female figures) are represented by the abbreviation “AUG”, translators rely on specific clues to decide which term is appropriate.
Here’s an analysis of the two options and how they are chosen:
Augustus (“AUG” = “Augustus”)
“Augustus” typically refers to the male emperor. In inscriptions, it is often used as a title for the emperor, especially for the first emperor, Augustus, but also for later emperors who were considered deified.
When “AUG” is used in inscriptions in reference to a male figure, it generally refers to the emperor’s imperial title, either in its deified form or as a mark of divine status.
Example: An inscription that reads “AUG” in reference to an emperor (like “Divo Augusto”) would be interpreted as “Augustus”, i.e., the emperor.
Context for “AUG” as Augustus
Military or Imperial Dedications: When inscriptions are made by military units or officials, “AUG” often refers to imperial deification. For example, a dedication to the gods of the empire or a vow by soldiers might refer to “Augustus” as the divine emperor.
Example Inscription: “To the divine Augustus”, meaning the deified emperor Augustus.
The gender in these contexts is clear because the emperor is male.
Augusta (“AUG” = “Augusta”)
“Augusta” refers to the female counterpart of Augustus, often used for the empress, the emperor’s wife, or women of imperial significance who were deified.
The title “Augusta” was often used in imperial inscriptions for women of royal or imperial rank—especially for the wives of emperors or for women who were honoured and deified after death (e.g., Livia, Julia Domna).
Example: When “AUG” is used in a context where the reference is to an empress or a female deity, it translates as “Augusta”.
Context for “AUG” as Augusta
Female Deified Figures: When “AUG” is used in the context of a female deity, particularly in the case of women associated with imperial families, it typically refers to their deified title of “Augusta”.
Example Inscription: “To the divine Augusta”, referring to Livia Augusta, the wife of Augustus.
The gender here is clearly female, and it would not be appropriate to translate it as “Augustus” since the term “Augusta” is gender-specific.
Translational Process and Contextual Clues
Gender of the Subject: The most important contextual clue is the gender of the figure being referred to in the inscription. If the subject is male (typically the emperor), “AUG” will usually be translated as “Augustus”. If the subject is female, particularly a wife of the emperor or a deified female figure, it will be translated as “Augusta”.
Imperial Status: Another clue is the status of the figure. “Augusta” is often used for imperial women, especially in references to empresses or women who were deified (i.e., honoured as divine figures after death).
Relationship to Emperor: “Augusta” is also used when referring to a woman’s role as the empress, or in instances where the woman’s role in the empire is emphasized (e.g., the empress was seen as a vital part of the imperial family and symbolized imperial power).
Examples of Translation Process
Livia Augusta
Context: Livia, the wife of Emperor Augustus, was deified after her death, and in inscriptions, she is often referred to as “Livia Augusta”.
Translation Process: Since Livia was a female who became a divine empress, “AUG” is translated as “Augusta”.
Julia Domna Augusta
Context: Julia Domna, the wife of Emperor Septimius Severus, was also given the title of “Augusta” after marriage and during her imperial role.
Translation Process: Here, “AUG” refers to the empress Julia Domna, so it is translated as “Augusta”.
Augustus (the Emperor)
Context: Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, was often referred to in official contexts with the title “AUG” as part of his imperial title.
Translation Process: In references to the male emperor, “AUG” is translated as “Augustus”.
Brigantia as Augusta
Context: When Brigantia is referred to as “AUG” in Roman inscriptions, it may indicate her elevation to a divine or imperial status, akin to the imperial “Augusta”.
Translation Process: Based on our previous discussions, if Brigantia is associated with the imperial family or linked to deified figures, the use of “AUG” would be translated as “Augusta”, signifying her transformation into a high-ranking goddess akin to the imperial women who held this title.
Summary
In Roman inscriptions, “AUG” can refer to “Augustus” (for male emperors) or “Augusta” (for female figures, especially empresses or deified women). Translators choose between these two meanings based on the gender of the subject (whether male or female) and the context of the imperial status or deification of the person or deity in question. In cases like Brigantia, where the goddess is syncretized with imperial power, “AUG” could appropriately be translated as “Augusta”, signifying her elevated role in the Roman imperial pantheon.